Current Situation
Updated: August 8th
Vedat’s date to return home rushes upon him and us all. He will change from his summer host family, the Beres’, on August 15th. The Hatchers and the Welch’s will share hosting Vedat from then until August 21st when Vedat will move one last time as he returns to the McCarthy’s, his very first host family when he came from surgery at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Chicago in July 2007.
In the middle of this last period, Vedat will go to Shriner’s from the 7th to the 10th of September for surgical and urological evaluations and for adjustment of his braces. He and his new wheelchair will also be evaluated.
Many of the elements integral to the plan for Vedat to return home and be integrated back into his family and home town are coming together. For example, a new wheelchair that fits him, is adjustable as he grows and is suited to the Montenegro environment was ordered on July 23rd with expected delivery in mid-August. This wheelchair expense adds to the projected large financial start-up estimated expenses. One expense not included that has been identified in the July mission trip to Montenegro. This critical expense is that of alternative housing for Vedat’s family.
The present second floor apartment is not wheelchair accessible and is too small for the addition of Vedat’s wheelchair, braces, walker, and medical supply storage.
Alternative housing must be found. As the nature of this housing is unknown, no estimate of funds required has been made, but it will be substantial. The current funding requirements through September 2011 without the alternative housing cost total some $27,000 which is more than twice the Vedat Support funds now on hand. Prayer is requested for the Lord to provide wisdom to those accomplishing the many aspects important to Vedat’s successful return home and to lead servants to step up to assist in meeting these essential financial needs.
Important elements of Vedat’s return are that Pastor Hatcher and Matt Spainhour will accompany Vedat home in September. Pastor Hatcher will seek to get a Serbian passport and renewed VISA for Vedat. Efforts in Virginia have been unsuccessful in obtaining these two critical items. Pastor Hatcher will return home and Matt Spainhour will stay for 3 months to assist in setting up the medical supply deliveries, help with the integration of Vedat into his family, and work toward obtaining the essential alternative housing. A very important activity for Vedat and his family is their registration as refugees in Serbia. This is a new and very important opportunity for Vedat and his family members which will give them equal access to labor, give them full health and social benefits and allow them to register property in their name. All of this will benefit the family in their ability to support themselves through jobs they are now denied.
There are many aspects of this plan and a great number of things for which to pray. Pleae look at the How You Can Help and Prayers and Praises pages. Updated: July 19th
The Elders accepted a plan proposed by Pastor Bill Hatcher on July 11th for Vedat to return home. The trip home is planned for September 28th and Vedat will be accompanined by Pastor Bill Hatcher and Matt Spainhour.
In anticipation of this return, Vedat is scheduled to visit Shriner's on September 8th for adjustment of his braces, surgical and urological evaluations, and measurement for a new wheelchair.
Pastor Bill told Vedat about these plans over lunch at Popeye's on July 16th. He will be meeting with Vedat's Mother in Montenegro when he is there on the mission trip that begins on Wednesday (the 21st).
There are many aspects of this plan and a great number of things for which to pray. Please look at the How You Can Help and Prayers and Praises pages.
Vedat’s History
